Demonstrators bring marriage debate to Southeast Texas

By Manuella Libardi

Published 10:19 am, Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Photo: Kim Brent

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Bentley Hatchett and Domenick Galatolo solicit honks of support as they and fellow members of the national, Catholic-based group American Society in Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP.org), protest gay marriage along Eastex Freeway at Lucas Drive Tuesday. The stop in Beaumont is part of their tour of the southeast region of the country, which began over a week ago. Young men involved in the organization from across the country are taking part in the event.
Photo taken Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Kim Brent/The Enterprise less

Bentley Hatchett and Domenick Galatolo solicit honks of support as they and fellow members of the national, Catholic-based group American Society in Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP.org), protest ... more

Photo: Kim Brent

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Members of the national, Catholic-based group American Society in Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP.org), including Evan Olwell, protest gay marriage along Eastex Freeway at Lucas Drive Tuesday. The stop in Beaumont is part of their tour of the southeast region of the country, which began over a week ago. Young men involved in the organization from across the country are taking part in the event.
Photo taken Tuesday, August 4, 2015
Kim Brent/The Enterprise less

Members of the national, Catholic-based group American Society in Defense of Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP.org), including Evan Olwell, protest gay marriage along Eastex Freeway at Lucas Drive Tuesday. ... more

Photo: Kim Brent

Demonstrators bring marriage debate to Southeast Texas

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Wearing billowy red scarves affixed to their suit jackets by golden lion pins, 18 young men on Aug. 4 wanted to show Beaumont their willingness to fight for what they believe in.

The group of men gathered at the intersection of Lucas Drive and Eastex Freeway around noon. Most held signs that read, "God's Marriage = 1 man & 1 woman," and "Honk for Traditional Marriage."

The Pennsylvania-based group, called the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, was in Beaumont as part of its southern tour to protest the U.S. Supreme Court's June ruling that legalized same-sex marriage in all states.

John Ritchie, the group's student action director, said the group made its way through Alabama before starting their Texas tour.

So far, the men have protested in Tyler, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio and Houston. After Beaumont, they were headed to Louisiana.

The intersection was loud as a majority of drivers beeped their car horns in repetition.

"Beaumont gives the other cities some competition," said Peter Miller, a Fort Worth native who is now a math teacher in Pennsylvania, referring to the community's support. Every now and then, the group was on the receiving end of an offensive hand gesture.

The high school and college students travel together in two vans. They gather at a predetermined protest location dressed in sport coats, the red scarves and wearing hats. Some wave the group's red flag, others play the bagpipes.

The Catholic group is protesting "Americans' inability to voice their opinion without fearing persecution," said Ritchie.

"What we're seeing now is a dictatorship of tolerance," he said.

The support coming from drivers shows "how the Supreme Court is out of touch with the American public," Ritchie said.